The beauty and advancement of Dubai attract people not only from the entire world but from other UAE cities as well. And when it’s about intercity transportation, how could we forget the bus service?
The RTA regulates the intercity bus service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It costs only 25 AED for the journey. So if you’re willing to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, this article is your exclusive guide.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus Routes: Complete Guide
There are three bus routes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai: E100, E101, and E102.
Let’s understand each of them in detail!
E100 Bus Service:
The E100 bus service is the most popular choice among passengers. It operates buses between the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and the Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai.
On this route, there are plenty of buses available for Dubai, 1 bus every 30 minutes.
The E100 bus service can be the right choice for visiting Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Dubai Creek, or Jumeirah in Dubai.
- Journey Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- Bus Schedule: Every day, 4:32 AM to 2 AM
- Total Distance: Approximately 134 km
E101 Bus Service:
Like the E100 route, buses are available on the E101 route every 30 minutes. It operates services between the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and the Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai.
If you want to reach Dubai as soon as possible, the E101 will be the right choice. This route takes only 1 hour 40 minutes, which is about 40 minutes less than the E100 route.
If you’re planning to visit Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, JBR, or JLT areas, then both the E101 and E102 routes would be great options to travel with.
- Journey Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- Bus Schedule: Every day, 4:30 AM to 2 AM
- Total Distance: Approximately 116 km
E102 Bus Service:
Unlike the E100 and E101 bus routes, the E102 has several stoppages from where you can take a bus to Dubai. Every hour, buses depart Mussafah Shabiay Bus Station, and the same bus departs the Abu Dhabi International Airport after 25 minutes.
Now take a look at the details on the table;
| Bus Schedule: | Monday to Friday:
– 7 AM to Midnight (hourly) – Midnight to 7 AM (1:30 AM, 3:30 AM, and 5:30 AM) Saturday to Sunday: 7 AM to 4 PM (hourly) 4:40 PM to 11:20 PM (Every 40 minutes) Midnight_ 12.50 AM, 1.30 AM, 3.30 AM, and 5.30 AM. |
| Journey Time: | 1 hour, 40 minutes from Mussafah to Ibn Battuta.
2 hours, 10 minutes, Mussafah to Al Jafiliya. 1 hour, 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Ibn Battuta. |
| Total Distance: | Approx 112 km from Mussafah to Ibn Battuta
Approx 141 km from Mussafah to Al Jafiliya. Approx 90 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Ibn Battuta. |
Please note: If you want to travel directly from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Ibn Battuta bus stand in Dubai, the E102 route is the best option. However, make sure to check the bus schedule for a hassle-free journey!
Bus Fair and How to Pay:
You should know that the RTA operates intercity bus services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. To travel between the two cities, you must purchase a Nol Card to pay bus fares. You can get it from both the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station.
There are four types of Nol cards.
- Red Card: price AED 2 with no credits.
- Silver Card: price 25 AED with 19 AED credits.
- Gold Card: price 25 AED with no credits.
- Blue Card: price 70 AED with 20 credits.
The bus fare from Abu Dhabi to Dubai is 25 AED on all three routes.
You can buy a silver card with 19 credits. But make sure to top up Nol with the RTA website, Nol Pay app, or at the bus station to have enough credits for the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much time does it take from Abu Dhabi to Dubai by bus?
It depends on the route you choose! There are three bus routes connecting Abu Dhabi with Dubai; E100, E101, and E102. The E101 takes only 1 hour and 40 minutes, which is comparatively less than the other two. However, the journey takes approximately 90 to 140 minutes.
2. What are the Abu Dhabi to Dubai buses like?
The buses and bus service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai routes are excellent. They are very comfortable, with AC and reclining seats, which you can use to take a nap. Moreover, the buses provide a free wifi connection and USB ports for charging your phone and other devices.
3. How can I buy the bus tickets to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
The Road & Transport Authority (RTA) regulates bus services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. You must buy a NOL card (a silver card is the best option) from a bus station or a metro station.
The bus ticket price from Abu Dhabi to Dubai is 25 AED. However, if you purchase a silver card with 25 AED, especially for Abu Dhabi to Dubai, you’ll have to top up because the card has 19 credits.